The eyes in the blue
ENExcellent choice, the Perhentian, for a gentle "return to fins". Shallow dives, generally without too much current. And lots of nice little creatures to see.
Some underwater photos
Nothing new for me, who is a bit of a "spoiled child", as far as diving is concerned... But these peaceful underwater strolls allowed me to get back my hand on the camera, while waiting for Sipadan.
A sea serpent on the boat!
Two "funny" incidents came to spice up our outings yesterday. On the program two superb wrecks, Fish Heaven, reputed to be "secret", and Sugar Wreck, more known.
When we arrived at the first site, a "knitted-striped" snake rose from the depths, while Anke, the Watercolours center manager, had jumped into the water to hook our end to the submerged buoy.
Not intimidated at all, the creature approached the boat, undulating on the surface, to get a better look at us. Then, all of a sudden, the snake slipped into the engine, for a little inspection. He stayed there for a while, sticking out his little head from time to time.
We all rushed to the back of the boat, overexcited, a little afraid that he might get bold and decide to come aboard. But no, he ended up going back in the water. And so did we.
Police Control at Fish Heaven
I did not know this wreck, nicknamed Fish Heaven. A simple barge turned upside down, but it is spectacular. Literally covered with fish, in such dense schools, that it takes a moment before you can distinguish what's underneath.
We then thought we were going to go directly to the second site... But we didn't count on the zealous sea cops, who appeared in their big black boat marked POLIS, siren screaming, waving us to stop.
I regret not having been able to take any close-up pictures, but the guys were not too engaging and made me put my camera away (while they did not hesitate to shoot our boat and the girls in swimsuits in it, from all angles).
There were about ten of them in there, all dressed in black, including their life jackets, which made them look like Robocop. Papers please...
Only thing is, our boat did not have its papers (new boat or almost, paperwork in progress). Result: we had to go back to the diving center under good escort, disembark and re-embark in two smaller motor boats. This little forced round trip took us a good part of the afternoon...
Mike, the Malaysian in charge of Watercolours with Anke, came to parley, in his beautiful regulation orange lifejacket, and even got off without a fine, on the grounds that he and the chief of police had the same initials... Sic!
The main thing is that we were able to dive into Sugar Wreck anyway.
Sugar Wreck
The view was rotten, unfortunately, when we went down. But Sugar Wreck, whatever the conditions, remains a dive full of atmosphere.
Atmosphere a little fanomatic, in mashed peas where arise strange shadows ...
In spite of the "snow" that scatters the pictures, I managed to shoot some bugs. Star balloon fish, flying scorpion fish.
At the end of the dive, when we are at the landing, in the blue, the batfish flutter around our small group, for a final salute.
How good it is to be underwater again!
🙂
I see we're not wasting any time 🙂
Ah ah! What good memories 😆 I see you're having a great time!
I was on these two wrecks just a few days ago... big blues blow because of you!!!! 😥
They're superb, but the secret wreck was very strange... great visibility up to 18m, then all of a sudden, fog, loaded with plankton and very cold water... 27°!!!
Anyway... you'll see it in the posts that come little by little... 9 dives, fortunately I wrote on paper in the meantime 🙄
Well I wish you again wonderful dives ... you may know it but must make Tokong Laut!
So by the way, you found the Nadine! 😛 They're all great at Watercolours, Peter the boss is excellent!
Allez Bonnes bulles, I can't wait to see what happens next! 😀
Wow ... Beautiful photos, as always.
I like the second-to-last bug. Its fan-shaped fins match the dorsal stripes beautifully. Very chic! 😉
@ N @ me: No, I'm not wasting any time diving... And my stay in the Perhentians is already coming to an end. I'm flying back to Borneo tomorrow!
8)
@Anthony: Yes, I'd already done Tokong Laut three years ago, and we dived there with Watercolours, of course. At the “secret” wreck, we had the same phenomenon as you: fabulous visi on the way down, on one side, then thermocline-fog on the other. But I didn't notice any marked drop in temperature.
Otherwise, I didn't get a chance to meet Nadine, the others told me she was on vacation these days. I went diving with Sarah and Kate. But I took it upon myself to tell the Watercolours staff how much you liked them. I'll have to pay my bill later (yes, it's already my last day here), and I'll tell them again how much French divers appreciate them!
🙂
@ Marie-Julie: Thank you, Marieju! But for my part, with my perfectionist side, I'm only moderately satisfied with these first images... Anyway, this is just the beginning!
😉
@Nono: Yes, lion-fishes are always very photogenic. I've got lots and lots of them in my sub-photos (they're a very common species in tropical waters), but I've forced myself to take some more photos, to get my bearings. I'm glad you like it!
🙄
Enjoy, Corinne! 😉
I am your journey with envy ...
lots of love
Ah the Perhentians...!!! You've revived my memories of 2006 🙄 , back then I hadn't dived but since you've rekindled my desire to dive, I think I'll gladly go back there.
Your photos are always beautiful. Have you changed cameras?
As for me, I'm back from the Philippines with my AOW, so that wasn't bad either.
Have a good trip and see you soon 😉
Alain
@Siratus: I'm delighted to be able to share with you the pleasures of the beginning of this trip! See you soon on Petites Bulles d'Ailleurs!
😉
@Alain: I too discovered the Perhentian in 2006... I'm glad I came back. Diving here is well worth it! As for the Philippines, I intend to return there too!
Otherwise, I haven't “changed” my camera: I still have Canon's Powershot A95, but it's the body I “cobbled together” with two cameras in Koh Lipe... Maybe I'll manage to invest in some decent gear for the next trip? In any case, I hope this one holds up to the test.
🙄
😥 I'm back... And as soon as I'm back, what do I do???? I rush to my emails and your blog to check on you and keep dreaming of diving, warm seas, sun...
😉 I wish you a wonderful vacation!
@Manta: Thank you Valerie!!! I hope the stay was a good one... I can't wait to read about it!
😉
I was on these islands at the same time as you and yes I loved it! Well, I still have to train underwater to compete with you in photos:-)
Good continuation!
Fabrice
Waouwww !!!
I've just discovered this site, which is really superb and full of information! You manage to share the pleasures of superb destinations, especially when we know some of the places and when trips to Asia are temporarily off the agenda (daughter < 1 year). Enjoy!
In connection with a post on plongeur.com, I can't wait to get your feedback on the state of the reef on the island of maratua:?:. You'll understand my impatience when I read an article in the final stages of writing. I can let you read it before the others (an e-mail address?).
Bertran aka (super) grouper from divers.com
Hi Corinee and thanks for choosing to dive with us. I'm working away on the French version of our website - and will upload it in a couple of weeks... THANKS AGAIN!!! 🙂
@Fabrice: We may have bumped into each other on the beach or in the water without knowing it!
😉
@Bertran: Hello Super Grouper, glad to see you back here! You can write to me directly at the following address:
corinne@petitesbullesdailleurs.fr
Otherwise, I won't be able to tell you much about the Maratua Reef itself, other than what I've been told, as I've only dived Sangalaki, Kakaban and Derawan. But we'll talk about all that by email and/or on Plongeur.com. Thanks for the “waaaaouww”, which means a lot to me, sincerely. I love sharing my travel and diving impressions, and hope to do so for a long time to come!
🙄
@To fart: It was a pleasure to dive with Watercolors. Many thanks for the link on your blog. And let me know when the french version is ready! Good luck for your next projects.
🙂
I've been dreaming of Malaysia for 3 years...after Cuba, the West Indies and Mayotte, I'm finally heading for Asia in May 2010 thanks to a great MH flight special worth 410 euros return KUL including tax!!!!
Of course I'm going to dive, but in 2006 you seemed more excited about the Redang dives compared to the Perhentians...what about today after your recent stay? I know, you've done Borneo's Best Sites since then, but I've only got a 15-day vacation!
I'm a fan of your photos, I stay in Paris all summer so what an escape thanks to your blog.
Thanks to you
@LiseMet: Ooh, interesting, this promo !!! I will rush to the site of Malaysia Airlines coming home !!!
😀
The Perhentians are always very nice and rather easy, which always makes for very pleasant outings. But as I didn't dive the Redang sites this time, it's hard to give you a “fresher” comparison. I do remember the Redang sites being more “abundant”. But frankly, after returning to Sipadan, it's this island that remains top of the list in my personal ranking... (sigh)
Thank you so much for your little message, which makes me very happy. Getting away from it all is what these “Petites Bulles d'Ailleurs” are all about... But have you ever been to Cuba, the West Indies and Mayotte? Ah, now it's you who's giving me a new wanderlust!!!!
🙄
There may be new MH promotions in this price range, but the lead time was short, one week to buy the ticket, since then the price has risen to 750 euros....
It's crazy to think that you're answering us from the other side of the planet right now. I'm not a computer or Internet pro, so when I'm away I'm disconnected, no phone, no e-mail.
I'll let you know if I've seen seahorses and beautiful nudibranchs in Dominica in October.
Mayotte is a paradise lagoon, the turtles are my friends and so are the whales from July to October.
Good bubbles to follow ...
@LiseMet: Ah... the magic of the internet! I just love it. As far as I'm concerned, it adds to the pleasure of the trip, to be able to deliver my impressions almost directly, from the other side of the planet.
Now that I'm back, I'll continue to monitor flight prices while dreaming about future trips ... Good bubbles too !!!
🙄